Mounting arrangement for metal fittings on profile frame members, walls, plates and the like

ABSTRACT

A metal fitting, e.g. a butt of a hinge, is mounted on a profile member by inserting a resilient tongue of the fitting through an opening in the member to allow a projection of the tongue to engage behind a ledge of the profile adjacent this opening.

ilited States Patent Peter et al. [45] Aug. 15, 1972 MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR [56] References Cited METAL FITTINGS ON PROFILE FRAME MEMBERS, WALLS, PLATES UNITED STATES PATENTS AND THE LIKE 1,374,738 4/1921 lllch ..52/37 [72] Inventors: Erwin Peter? Peter Oswald, both of 3,268,195 8/1966 Hofiman ..248/225 oberosterfelch Ausma FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [731 Assign: Vereinigte Metallwerke Ranshofen- 1 450 090 7/1966 France ..248/225 Berndorf Aktiengesellschaft, oberosterrelch Ausma Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky [22] Filed; Oct. 19, 1970 Assistant Examiner--Wayne L. Shedd pp No: 81,703 At!0rneyl(arl F. Ross [57] ABSTRACT [30] Forelgn Apphcauon Priority Data A metal fitting, e.g. a butt of a hinge, is mounted on a Oct. 21, 1969 Austria ..9897 profile member by inserting a resilient tongue of the April 2, 1970 Austria ..3004 fitting through an opening in the member to allow a projection of the tongue to engage behind a ledge of [52] US. Cl. ..248/223, 52/ 37, 248/225, the profile adjacent this opening.

287 20 R 51 lm. Cl. ..A47f 5/08, E06b 7/28 20 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures [58] Field of Search..287/2O R,56, 54 A, 54 C, 20.92

PATENTEU AUG 15 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 7

FIG. 6

Erw/n Pefer Pefer 0s fwald INVENTORS Attorney MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR METAL FITTINGS ON PROFILE FRAME MEMBERS, WALLS, PLATES AND THE LIKE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 Our present invention relates to a system for fastening metal fittings to frame members such as hollow profiles and the like and to an assembly of a metal fitting with such profile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The attachment of metal fittings to supporting members, e.g. hollow profiles of window, door or partition frames, or to partitions, walls and the like has been car- 5 ried out heretofore in a number of ways. One technique is to secure the metal fitting to the support member by screws, bolts, rivets or pins, while another technique requires welding, soldering or cementing of the metal fitting to its support. Typical among them are window frames, door frames and the like consisting of extruded hollow metal profiles, preferably of aluminum or other light metal. In all of the aforesaid techniques, it is not uncommon to provide a projection or ledge on the metal fitting for engagement with a surface, ledge or 5 recess of the support to prevent twisting of the fitting and added assurance against loosening.

All of these techniques, however, are relatively complex and expensive, require skilled personnel or the installation of the assembly and are time-consuming. Furthermore, the earlier techniques also may require auxiliary members, e.g. fastening means, and equipment (e.g. welding devices) which may not always be available.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved system for fastening metal fittings to a support structure, generally a hollow body.

It is another object of our invention to provide an improved assembly including a metal fitting and a support member, such as a hollow profile, which can be joined in a simplified and convenient manner, without requiring auxiliary appliances or tools and which avoids the disadvantages mentioned earlier.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a highly versatile assembly for the mounting of hinge parts and like metal fittings upon door and window frames, preferably hollow profiles, which can be carried out with unskilled or semi-skilled personnel, can be erected rapidly and inexpensively, and is capable of providing an effective guaranty against loosening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are attained, in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing a support in the form of a hollow-profile frame member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent this opening. The metal fitting may then constitute a further member connected with the frame member and including a body disposed exteriorly of the frame and providing a hoop, loop, eye or other formation for connecting some further structure to the fitting. Most advantageously, the body disposed exteriorly of the frame is one of the relatively angularly displaceable members of a hinge and is adapted to receive the pintle thereof. According to the principles of this invention, a resilient tongue is provided on this body to project through the aforementioned opening into the interior of the frame member and elastically engages same, while a projection on the tongue engages behind the ledge upon insertion of the tongue through the openeing. The metal fitting can. therefore. be set in place merely by inserting the tongue through the opening and driving the fitting home to seat the projection behind the aforementioned ledge.

According to a feature of this invention, the support or frame member is a hollow profile, e.g. of extruded aluminum for window, door and partition frames, and is closed on the side at which the fitting is mounted, while the opening is generally slot-shaped, i.e. has a length in excess of its width or the thickness of the metal wall in which it is formed. Similarly, the tongue may be generally flat and may have a length in the longitudinal direction of the opening which corresponds substantially to the length of the opening and thereby closely fits into the latter with a minimum tolerance of movement of the fitting longitudinally of the opening. Furthermore, the ledge extends along the length of the opening and may define one of the edges thereof. The metal tongue may likewise have a length in the longitudinal direction of the opening which exceeds its thickness and may even exceed its length in the direction of insertion into the interior of the frame member as will be apparent hereinafter.

According to another feature of this invention, the projection on the tongue defines with an opposing inner surface of the body of the fitting, a slot-shaped recess in which the ledge is snugly and complementarily received. Furthermore, loosening of the fitting may be prevented by providing the fitting with portions lying externally of the hollow profile which overlie surfaces of the wall in which the opening is formed along one or more sides of this opening.

To impart'the resiliency to the tongue, we may shape the latter in the manner of a leafspring, i.e. impart resiliency to a generally flat tongue by providing it with an offset portion engageable with an inner wall of the hollow profile. Alternatively, the tongue may be split and may be inwardly deflectible upon insertion of the tongue through the opening. In this case, the thickness of the tongue will generally exceed the width of the opening at least in the region of the projection in an uncompressed state of the split tongue. The tongue may also converge in the direction of the opening so as to have a wedge shape, whereby the tongue may be inserted partly into the opening and then driven home.

To increase the resistance of the fitting to dislocation and loosening, we prefer to provide means independent of the tongue for limiting the ability of the fitting to twist about an axis parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the opening in the region of the ledge such means being a retaining element formed on the wall or upon the body at a location relatively distal from the axis. When the retaining member is formed upon the fitting body, we may construct it as a channel opening in the direction of the aforementioned axis and accommodating a free edge of the profile wall. When, conversely, the retaining means is located upon the wall, it

may be formed as a channel open in the direction of the axis and engaging a wall, plate or arm on the aforementioned body. More commonly, however, a retaining means performing the same function may be formed by the free end of the tongue remote from the ledge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the present invention, illustrating a system in which a bent tongue extends to a considerable distance through the opening of the hollow-profile member;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line II II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein retaining means in the form of a further arm is provided;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along the line IV IV of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are transverse cross-sectional views illustrating embodiments of the invention wherein split resilient tongues are employed;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line VII VII of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 10 are cross-sectional views generally similar to FIG. 1 showing other embodiments of the invention wherein the retaining means respectively provide upon the hollow frame member, upon the fitting body, and by an arm disposed within the hollow profile; and

FIGS. 11 13 are further cross-sectional views illustrating resilient tongue arrangements in which the free ends of the resilient portion form the projections engageable with the ledges of the hollow profile.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, we have shown an assembly including a butt 1 of a hinge of the offset type. The butt I has an eye la adapted to receive a pintle and formed at the free end of a shank 1b of the butt. The hinge is to be mounted upon a hollow profile, designated generally at 2 and forming part of an extruded-aluminum window frame member. The hollow profile 2 comprises a pair of walls 2a and 2b defining a hollow interior 2c and lying parallel to one another and transversely to the wall of web 11 of the hollow profile against which the hinge is to be seated. At its rear end, the interior 2c of the hollow profile is closed by a wall 2d while the front-end wall is cut away to form a rectangular opening which has a length L exceeding the width w as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The opening 3 is defined in part by a ledge 6 extending transversely of the direction of insertion of the hinge (arrow A) which runs the full length of the opening and lies adjacent the latter.

A resilient tongue 6 extends perpendicularly to the shank 1b of the metal fitting 1, etc., and is offset to provide a first stretch 4a bent in one direction (i.e. to the left) from a wedge-shaped protuberance 4b of this tongue. At its free end, the tongue is bent to the right at 4c while having a parallel land 4d between the bends. The

wedge-shaped member 4b defines a projection 5 which has a flank 5a engaging beyond the ledge 6 to anchor the hinge in the opening. To prevent loosening of the hinge and eliminate play, the shank of the hinge overhangs the wall 11 adjoining the opening 3 as represented at 9 while the projection 5 defines a recess 5b complementarily and snugly receiving the ledge 6. To form the assembly, the opening 3 is stamped, milled or sawn in the hollow profile, either prior to erection or subsequently, and the tongue 4 is inserted through the opening since the wedge-shaped portion 4b has a thickness slightly less than or equal to w, the hinge butt is then driven into place until the shank lb lies flatly against the wall 11. The free end 4d of the tongue is thereby bent slightly to the right and engages the inner wall 2b at 8 while the land 4d seats against the opposite wall 2a of the hollow profile, the tongue 4 being held between these walls under resilient compression. The spring force is exerted to the right in FIG. 1 (arrow B) to lock the ledge 6 within the recess 5b. The contact at 8 between the tongue and the hollow profile also prevents any torque about an axis parallel to the ledge 6 and at the region of engagement of the ledge in the recess. A ridge 10 extending along the inner flank of the butt reaches around the free end of the web 11 to restrict movement of the hinge to the left in FIG. 1. The body portion la, 1b, moreover, overhangs the wall 11 at 1d and 1e at opposite ends of the slot 325 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, we have depicted another embodiment of the instant invention which has been found to be particularly suitable for use with composite windows, i.e. windows having more than one swinging member, e.g. an outer swinging member and an inner swinging member. In this case, the hinge must receive two offset pintles defining mutually parallel axes. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the eye 101a of the butt portion 101 of the hinge is located along the exterior of the wall 111 of the hollow profile which is provided with a further opening 111a adapted to clear a further arm or tongue 112 as its eye 112a. The arm 112 is offset or bent to engage at 11% the outer surface of the wall 102b of the hollow profile 102 which receives the tongue 104 as previously described. It will be apparent that the ledge 106 adjacent the slot 103 here also engages behind the projection and that the arm 112' resiliently resists displacement of the fitting to the left such that the slot 105b might be disengaged from the ledge.

As previously noted, FIGS. 5 to 7 are directed to embodiments of the present invention wherein the tongue, instead of forming an arm of the butt of a hinge, is split and is of wedge-shaped configuration to enable it to be driven through a slot-shaped opening in the hollow profile. In FIG. 5, for example, the hollow profile 202 is provided with a slot-shaped opening 203 defined along its longitudinal edges by a pair of inwardly extending ledges 206a and 206b. The tongues 215 and 216 are here defined by a slot 213a in the hinge member 213 which is shown to receive a pintle 214. The spread position of the tongues 215, 216 provides a width s which is slightly less than the width w of the opening 203 and enables the tongues to be partly inserted before the hinge is tapped home. Beyond the leading edges of the tongues, they tend to widen outwardly to form hook shaped projections 17 and 18 respectively lodging behind the ledges 206b and 2060 and defining recesses 205 snugly receiving these ledges. The root spacing of these recesses 205 exceeds the width w of the opening 203 prior to insertion of the tongues so that the tongues 215 and 216 are biased outwardly by their inherent spring force to prevent withdrawal of the projections 217 and 218 past the ledge. The slot 213a in the system of FIG. 5 extends substantially to the pintle 214 so that the body may be considered to have a U-profile, the shanks of the U being formed as the tongues. In the variant of FIGS. 6 and 7, the body 313, which is formed with a bore 314 to receive the pintle, is partially slotted at 313a to define the tongues 315 and 316 with the projections 317 and 318 which engage behind the ledges 306a and 306b as previously described. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 7, the body 313 overhangs, at its end 313d and 313e, the ends of the opening 303, thereby providing further assurance against inward movement of the hinge body.

Another offset butt-type hinge arrangement has been illustrated in FIG. 8 which utilizes aspects of the anchoring of FIGS. 5 7. In the system of FIG. 8, a pair of ledges 406a and 4061) define the opening 403 which communicates with the interior of the hollow profile 402 and engage in recesses 405 defined by resilient tongues 415 and 416 as described with reference to FIGS. 5 7. In this embodiment, however, the shank 419 which carries the pintle-receiving eye 419a at its free end, is provided with an arm 420 perpendicular to the shank 419 and generally parallel to the tongues 415 and 416. The arm 420 lies parallel to the wall 402b of the hollow profile, this wall being formed with a retaining means. The retaining means comprises a reducedthickness end 421 of the arm 420 which is, moreover, offset inwardly from the main portion of the arm so that a further hinge may be provided as shown in broken lines at 412. Whether this hinge is employed or not, the end 421 of the arm 420 extends into channel 422 which is open generally in the direction of the wall 411 in which the opening 403 is provided. Consequently, both transverse movement of the hinge to the right (arrow C) and angular movement of the hinge in the direction of arrow D are eliminated and there is substantially no tendency for a torque effect to shear the tongues 415 and 416.

In the system of FIG. 9, the arm 420 is replaced by a retaining channel 523 formed in the underside of the shank 519 which overlies the wall 511. The free end of the wall 51 1 is received in the channel 523 which faces in the direction of the opening 503 through which tongues 515 and 516 extend into the interior of the hollow profile 502.

Only a single resilient tongue 616 is provided in the embodiment of FIG. 10 on the hinge body 619 for engagement with a ledge 606 flanking the window 603 of the hollow profile 602. Here again, however, a retaining means is provided to prevent both angular displacement of the hinge and lateral movement thereof. The retaining means is here an arm 624 which is received within the hollow profile 602 and has a foot 625 bearing upon the wall 602b thereof. This system operates in accordance with the principles already described although a single tongue only is resiliently deflected.

In FIGS. 11 13, we have shown another embodiment according to the present invention in which the metal fitting 701, for example, forms part of a hinge having a wing 701a and a high 701b adapted to receive the pintle. The hinge is designed to be mounted in an extruded frame member 702 of the hollow-profile type without screws, rivets, welding or adhesive. FIG. 13 shows an arrangement wherein the frame 902 may be composed of sheet metal bent into the desired configuration with a hollow interior 902a closed by a wall 911 having a lip 911a turned over. Flange 911b, the hollow profile frame member of FIG. 13 may, of course, be substituted for the frame members 2, 102 802 of the other embodiments described. Similarly, the meta] fitting 901 may be composed of sheet metal or the like bent to the desired shape and it will be understood that the fittings formed as extrusions, castings or the like at 1, 101, 213, 313, 419, 519, 619, 701 and 801 can be of like construction, provided that the appropriate tongues are formed thereon.

In the system of FIG. 11, the window 703 formed in the hollow profile 702 defines a ledge 728 which is engageable by the free end 705 of a spring tongue 726 deflectible inwardly and formed by a slot 713 in an arm 724 extending perpendicularly to the shank of the hinge 701. At its free end, the arm 724 is provided with a foot 725 which functions similarly to the foot 625 in resisting'torque when the hinge is set home. A recess is defined at 7050 between the overhanging end 709 of the shank 701a and the end 705 of the tongue. The tongue 726, moreover, has a surface 727 which diverges away from the foot 725 and in the direction of the recess 705a to form a wedge-shaped structure which is carnmed inwardly when the fitting is tapped in place. The wall 703a of the opening is flush with the inner surface 702b'of the hollow space in which the arm 724 is received and enables the straight portions 724a and 724b at the opposite ends of the arm to rest against this wall. The spring tongue 726, therefore, is deflected inwardly upon insertion of the arm 724 and springs outwardly to lodge behind the ledge.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the hinge body 801 has a configuration similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6 and is provided with an arm 824 which is angularly bent or offset (see FIG. 3), so that its foot 825 engages the wall 802a while its heel 824a engages the opposite wall 80212 of the hollow profile 802. Here again, a spring tongue 826 is provided, the end of whice is inclined at 827 to provide a wedge profile enabling the tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of the body into the hollow profile. The tongue springs outwardly so that its end 805 engages behind the ledge 806 of the opening.

The arm 924 of the sheet-metal profile fitting 901 shown in FIG. 13 having a rounded foot 925 serving as the retaining means carries a spring tongue 926 forming a wedge via an inclined surface 927 as described earlier. The end 905 of the tongue rests behind the ledge 906. In all cases, the tongues 726, 826 and 926 are dimensioned to bear outwardly upon the inner walls 702a, 802a and 902a of the hollow profiles, thereby providing further assurance against movement or play in the anchorage.

While the inventions principles have been described with reference to hinges and certain hinge configurations have been illusfiated, it should be understood that it is equally applicable to fittings of other configurations, e.g. locks, hasps, eyes and bolts as well as parts co'operating therewith. Also the hollow-profile frame member may represent a hollow wall or other structure in which the fitting can be seated.

The improvement described and illustrated is believed to admit of many modifications within the ability of persons skilled in the an, all such modifications being considered within the spirit and scope of the invention except as limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening, and a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof, an arm on said body projecting through said opening, said arm having a rigid portion bearing on a wall of said member within said opening and a resilient tongue on said arm projecting into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same, said rigid portion impeding movement of said arm in said opening to release said tongue and a projection on said tongue through said opening.

2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.

3. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.

4. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.

5. The assembly defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.

6. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising:

a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening;

a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof, a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same;

a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said tongue through said opening;

a channel formed on said member; and

an arm formed on said body and receivable in said channel.

7. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.

8. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.

9. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.

10. The assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.

11. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising:

a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening;

a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof;

a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same;

a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said tongue through said opening; and

a channel formed on said body, said member being provided with an arm receivable in said channel.

12. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.

13. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.

14. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.

15. The assembly defined in claim 14 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.

16. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising:

a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening;

a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof;

a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same;

a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said-tongue through said opening, said member being a hollow profile frame member having a wall formed with said opening and a pair of opposed inner surfaces, said opening being slot-shaped, said tongue being formed as a relatively broad arm received in said member between said surfaces and bearing in opposite directions thereagainst, said arm being formed at its junction with said body with a recess complementarily receiving said ledge; and

mutually engaging retaining means on said body and said member for restricting disengagement of said ledge from said recess.

17. The assembly defined in claim 16 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.

20. The assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias. 

1. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening, and a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof, an arm on said body projecting through said opening, said arm having a rigid portion bearing on a wall of said member within said opening and a resilient tongue on said arm projecting into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same, said rigid portion impeding movement of said arm in said opening to release said tongue and a projection on said tongue through said opening.
 2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.
 3. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.
 4. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.
 5. The assembly defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.
 6. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising: a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening; a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof, a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same; a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said tongue through said opening; a channel formed on said member; and an arm formed on said body and receivable in said channel.
 7. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.
 8. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.
 9. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.
 10. The assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.
 11. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising: a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening; a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof; a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same; a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said tongue through said opening; and a channel formed on said body, said member being provided with an arm receivable in said channel.
 12. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angularly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.
 13. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.
 14. The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.
 15. The assembly defined in claim 14 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias.
 16. An assembly for wall, window, door structures and the like, comprising: a hollow support member having an opening communicating with its interior and a ledge adjacent said opening; a metal fitting connectable with said member and including a body disposed exteriorly thereof; a resilient tongue on said body projecting through said opening into said interior of said member and elastically engaging same; a projection on said tongue engaging behind said ledge upon insertion of said tongue through said opening, said member being a hollow profile frame member having a wall formed with said opening and a pair of opposed inner surfaces, said opening being slot-shaped, said tongue being formed as a relatively broad arm received in said member between said surfaces and bearing in opposite directions thereagainst, said arm being formed at its junction with said body with a recess complementarily receiving said ledge; and mutually engaging retaining means on said body and said member for restricting disengagement of said ledge from said recess.
 17. The assembly defined in claim 16 wherein said member is a hollow-profile frame member having a pair of opposing inner surfaces on opposite sides of its interior, said tongue having a pair of angulArly offset portions bearing upon said opposing inner surfaces.
 18. The assembly defined in claim 16 wherein said member has a flange with a free end extending transversely to the direction of insertion of said tongue through said opening and bearing against said body, said body being formed with a projection engaging said free end for limiting relative movement of said fitting and said member.
 19. The assembly defined in claim 16 wherein said tongue forms part of an arm extending into the interior of said member and having at its free end a foot engaging the wall thereof.
 20. The assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said tongue has a surface diverging away from said foot and enabling said tongue to be cammed inwardly upon insertion of said arm through said opening whereby said tongue seats behind said ledge under inherent resilient bias. 